On October 2, 2018, HHSC issued a Long-Term Care Regulatory letter to clarify previous letters regarding time frames for expedited Life Safety Code Inspections. The letter is located here. Here are pertinent quotes from the letter:
A NF or ALF license applicant may submit a written request for an ELSC and
fee at any time during the application process. When the licensing specialist
has a complete application and fee, and a written request for ESLC
inspection and fee a request is made to … [Read more...]

Provider Letter PL 18-17 (NF)
This letter addresses feeding assistance care for nursing home residents and staffing requirements to implement rules. HHSC and Long Term Care Regulatory (LTCR) determined that the topic of feeding assistance required an updated and consolidated communication to providers.
The letter details:
Policy Details & Provider Responsibilities: A paid feeding assistant is an individual who meets the requirements
specified in the Texas Administrative Code who is … [Read more...]

Provider Letter 18-16 - This Long-Term Care regulatory provider letter is to inform a Home and Community Support Services Agency (HCSSA or agency) of notification requirements for temporary agency changes in response to an emergency or disaster.
The letter details provider responsibilities regarding initial or renewal application changes due to an emergency or disaster, temporarily relocation of a place of business as a result of an emergency or disaster, providing services to clients who … [Read more...]

Information Letter 18-08 & No. 18-09 This letter announces several dates regarding Fiscal Year 2018 Claims Processing for claims to be paid by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). August 24, 2018 by noon is the cutoff date for Home and Community-based Services Providers and Texas Home Living Providers . For all other agencies, providers and facilities listed below, the cutoff dates are as follows:
• Fiscal Year 2016 Miscellaneous Fee-for-Service (FFS) Claims Cutoff: … [Read more...]

Provider Letter : PL 18-15 - Texas Unified License Information Portal (TULIP) is a new web-based licensure system designed specifically for licensed long-term care providers it will begin on Sept 4, 2018. All licensure applications will be electronic, including those for initial licenses, renewals and changes of ownership. The provider letter out lines important dates and information related to TULIP’s benefits and features, as well as instructions for making a successful transition to … [Read more...]

Provider Letter 18-13 - Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSAs) are issued the clarifications and requirements and regarding the role of management companies. Providers are notified that if an HCSSA contracts with a management company or other organization, the HCSSA must comply with all rules and regulations that relate to such a contract, which is addressed in the provider letter. HHSC has statutory authority to adopt rules that specify the ownership interests and other … [Read more...]

Long-Term Care Regulatory Provider Letter PL 18-12 (ALF) -
Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 247.066(h) directs the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), to require that facility managers complete an annual training on aging in place and retaliation. The ALF rule is found at Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 1, §92.41(f)(6). HHSC has developed a web-based training that meets this requirement.
The creation of this course was required by House Bill (HB) 2109, … [Read more...]

Provider Letter 18-11 - Technical Memoranda (TM) concerning prescribed Life Safety Code (LSC) standards for ALFs to be responsible for reviewing the LSC TM and complying with the guidance provided therein. The LSC is a set of fire protection requirements designed to provide a reasonable degree of safety at Assisted Living Facilities. It covers construction, protection, and operational features designed to provide safety from fire, smoke, and panic.
According to the letter and 2.0 Policy … [Read more...]

HHSC published the proposed changes mandated by House Bill (H.B.) 2025 to the ICF/IID rules which calls for changes to rules governing administrative penalties, license terms and related policies in various programs including the ICF/IID program, DAHS, ALFs, NFs and Pediatric Extended Care Facilities. HB 2025 is the act relating to the regulation of certain long-term care facilities, including facilities that provide care to persons with Alzheimer ’s disease or related disorders; authorizing an … [Read more...]